international mobility – INTERCULTURAL TRAINING belgium (1 DAY)
Getting used to the country
1. Understanding Belgium
• Historic events shaping contemporary Belgium and its organisation
• A multicultural country: strengths and weaknesses
• Belgium, a State created from nothing in 1830: from united Belgium to Federal, even Confederal, Belgium
• The complex structures of a small State
2. Belgian values and behaviours
• “There are no Belgians, only Flemish and Walloons”
• The pioneers of European integration (UEBL, Benelux, etc.)
• Famous Belgians throughout history and worldwide; famous French people who are Belgian
Getting used to socialisation patterns
3. Belgian communication styles
• Don’t be fooled by appearances
• Decoding the second degree
• What may surprise the French
• Social codes and practices
4. Living and socialising with the Belgians
• The Belgian, “welcoming but not very familiar”
• Belgians, multicultural by necessity and playing this card
• Social codes: relative informality, for real?
• Socialising and making friends: Belgians and internationals
ADAPTING TO EVERYDAY LIFE
5. Expatriate life in Belgium
• Moving and everyday life: procedures, accommodation, health, etc
• Leisure, expat communities
• Schools, extracurricular activities, sports.
6. Focus on your expatriation city
• Getting your bearings, moving around the city
• Unmissable things to see and do
7. Making your expatriation a success
• Preparing for adaptation phases
• Practical advice, questions-answers
• Action plan: plan and objectives for the expatriate and their family.